Pressure between the scrotum and anus
A deep ache or fullness that is worse with sitting, cycling or driving and briefly better after walking.
It can feel like pressure between the scrotum and anus, burning when you urinate, or an ache after ejaculation. Sitting, driving and long meetings often make it worse.
Chronic prostatitis is often used as a catch-all label for male pelvic pain. True bacterial prostatitis is confirmed by medical testing. More commonly, the prostate is not the source. Tight pelvic floor muscles and sensitized nerves can produce pain that feels like prostate pain. Trigger points, which are tight spots that send pain elsewhere, often add to it.
My exam looks for the muscles and nerves that reproduce your symptoms. Treatment uses dry needling, a form of acupuncture, and electroacupuncture. Where the obturator internus crowds the pudendal nerve, or the iliopsoas presses on the genitofemoral nerve, I needle those muscles to free up space. If the pudendal nerve has become irritable, electroacupuncture places fine needles near it with a gentle current to help shift how it signals.
Most men have had urine tests, cultures, imaging and one or more courses of antibiotics. Those are the right steps to rule out infection and other medical causes. When infection isn’t confirmed, repeated antibiotics may not change pain that comes from muscle and nerve. Anti-inflammatories can ease symptoms for a while without changing what keeps the tissue reactive. Men who have tried pelvic floor PT for prostate-area pain usually haven’t had needling, because New York bars PTs and chiropractors from dry needling.
I start by asking what testing you’ve had, what sets off your symptoms, and where the pain travels. Then the exam:
I coordinate with your urologist and pelvic floor PT. If infection hasn’t been ruled out yet, I’ll suggest checking in with urology or your primary care doctor first.
I don’t diagnose infection. Bacterial prostatitis is a medical diagnosis based on your history, urine testing and cultures, and sometimes further urology workup. When infection isn’t supported, I look for the muscle and nerve sources that can mimic prostate symptoms.
The urethra passes through the prostate and the pelvic floor, and these structures share nerve pathways. When those muscles are tight and the nerves are sensitive, it can feel like urinary irritation. My exam aims to reproduce your symptoms so treatment targets the actual source.
It is usually a combination, because both muscle and nerve are often involved. Needling the pelvic floor, obturator internus and abdominal muscles relieves pressure where they crowd the pudendal and genitofemoral nerves. Electroacupuncture along the pudendal nerve helps when the nerve itself has become irritable. You also get a short home plan for breathing, mobility and sitting.
Yes. Normal imaging is common here, because muscle tension, trigger points and nerve sensitivity don’t show on scans. I find them through a hands-on exam and by seeing what changes with treatment.
That depends on how long the pain has been there, how strong the flares are, and how many sources are involved. Most men need about 4 to 6 weeks, and visits space out after that. I’ll give you a clearer estimate after the first exam.
Call a doctor promptly for fever, blood in your urine, new trouble emptying your bladder, or weight loss you can’t explain. Sudden severe testicular or pelvic pain, or numbness or weakness that is getting worse fast, also needs urgent attention. Any of these calls for a medical evaluation before needling.
Adults with pelvic floor, nerve and orthopedic pain, along with neurological conditions. Most of my patients come to me after other care hasn't fully settled things. If you're looking for general wellness acupuncture, I'm not the right fit.
We review your history and what you've already tried. I assess the muscles and nerves involved, and you're treated the same day.
It depends on the condition. Pelvic and orthopedic plans usually run 4 to 6 weeks. Neurological plans are usually 2 visits a week for 6 weeks or 3 a week for 4. After that, visits space out so the changes hold. These are typical timelines, not promises.
Yes. I work alongside doctors, physical therapists and specialists. If something I find needs a closer look from one of them, I'll tell you.
I'm an out-of-network provider. You pay at the time of your visit, and my office submits the claim so any reimbursement comes to you. Free benefit checks are available before your first visit through the verification form, and HSA and FSA cards work. I don't take Medicare or Medicaid, though some Medicare Advantage plans reimburse out-of-network care. Full insurance details
Yes. I treat adults, teens and children, though I don't specialize in infants or toddlers.
Yes. Book a free discovery call to ask your questions and see whether we're a good fit.
Dry needling is a form of acupuncture. Fine needles go into tight bands of muscle and trigger points to lower muscle tension and change how the area is signaling.
You may feel a brief twitch or a deep ache as the needle reaches tight muscle. It passes quickly, and any soreness afterward usually fades within a day or two.
It's generally safe with a properly trained practitioner. Needles are sterile and single-use, and I check your health history first, including blood thinners. In New York, dry needling can only be performed by licensed acupuncturists, MDs and DOs. Physical therapists and chiropractors aren't permitted to perform it.
Eat something light beforehand and wear loose clothing that lets me reach the area being treated.
Usually not. Ultrasound helps in a few specific cases, but it hasn't been shown to improve results for common trigger points. A careful hands-on exam is what guides the needle. More on ultrasound-guided dry needling
Dry needling aimed at the pelvic floor and the hip and abdominal muscles around it, for pain, tension and urinary symptoms driven by those muscles and their nerves. More on pelvic floor dry needling
Sometimes, depending on the muscles involved, and you'll be draped throughout. Treatment always follows your consent and comfort. I don't do internal exams or internal treatment.
No, though it helps if you've already seen a doctor or pelvic floor physical therapist. Bring any notes or imaging you have.
Completely. I've heard it all, and there's no judgment here, just a straightforward conversation so we can treat what's going on.
Yes, I treat adults of every gender and identity. After gender-affirming surgery involving the pelvis, bring your surgical notes and we'll decide together what fits.
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118 W. 72nd St, Rear Lobby, New York, NY 10023
Evidence-based acupuncture and dry needling on the Upper West Side. From chronic pain and headaches to pelvic floor dysfunction, Dr. Jordan Barber pairs the highest level of training with care that actually listens.
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